Nomadism is as Paleo as Steak and Eggs
It takes a special type of person to devote themselves to a diet, a lifestyle, or even an ideology. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or Paleo, sticking to a routine can be tough. If it’s not, then it’s probably a strain on the relationships you have with others.
Most of my experience with fitness and nutrition is within the Paleo community. (My love of bacon runs too deep for me to consider anything else).
For the newbies, “Paleo” is about getting back to our roots. Wikipedia defines it as, “a diet based on the types of foods presumed to have been eaten by early humans, consisting chiefly of meat, fish, vegetables, and fruit, and excluding dairy or grain products and processed food.” If you want to learn more, Mark Sisson does a much better job describing it than I ever will.
The Paleo lifestyle goes beyond food though. People who are Paleo also try to minimize sitting, maximize movement, and do whatever is necessary for overall health and wellness (regardless of whether or not it is socially acceptable).
I think being primal / Paleo / etc. is fantastic. It provides a great set of principles to revert to and consider in every day life. For me, this evolutionary perspective is not only helpful; it makes sense. It keeps me focused on what we are and where we’ve come from.
But for those who take it most seriously, there are some contradictions.
Think about the typical Paleo person. Many of them are well-educated, well-off, and busy. Maybe they have a job, kids, and even a CrossFit membership. How do they maintain that lifestyle? By taking shortcuts.
For example, Paleo nuts (myself included) will ruthlessly prepare meals, placing dozens of portions into Tupperware containers so they can automate their healthy choices throughout the week. It makes sense. It’s hard to be spontaneous while maintaining a rigorous diet and exercise routine. Sometimes it’s impossible.
So I get it, planning works. But in some ways it misses the point. The Paleolithic lifestyle was unpredictable. It was unplanned and unbridled. So by trying to anticipate any possible slip-up in your routine, you may be undermining one of the Paleo lifestyle’s greatest strengths: randomness.
Travel is the epitome of randomness. That’s why I enjoy it so much. You can plan all you want, but when you go to another country there are countless things that will remain out of your control and beyond your understanding. It can be therapeutic.
You don’t need to have a Paleo obsession to travel. But as someone who has traveled a good deal AND maintained some semblance of health and fitness, I promise that you can usually make it work. There are undeniable benefits to travelling; especially for people who consider themselves Paleo. Here are three of them:
- Travel changes how you see others. Some suggest it even makes you more creative. Adam Galinsky, a Columbia University professor says, “when people had experiences traveling to other countries it increased what’s called generalized trust, or their general faith in humanity”. That’s something pretty crucial to getting along in the wild. Furthermore, it’s crucial to getting along in your neighborhood too. For someone who spends most of their time in cities like me, it’s easy to be wary of others. It’s a lot harder, but also much more refreshing to trust others and give them the benefit of the doubt.
- Travel changes how others see you. Some studies, cited in Psychology Today suggest that extended travel can alter your personality. Traveling can make you more open to experience, more adaptable, and more resilient. Surely this isn’t the result of an all-inclusive cruise. But by stepping outside your comfort zone in a new place, you can increase your capacity to deal with the unexpected parts of life.
- Travel is a great time to be healthy. For some people, traveling is a trap of temptation. But there’s no reason you need to be lazy or indulgent. The best way to see a new place is to explore. Whether you prefer walking or biking to get around, it doesn’t really matter. Wandering to get exercise and get your bearings is a great way to make the most of wherever you travel. Here are a few good suggestions on how to do that more deliberately.
Whether you think the Paleolithic era was “the good old days” or you just have a penchant for planning, travel is healthy. It gives you perspective. It makes you feel important and insignificant simultaneously. Most importantly, it fosters gratitude and prevents you from taking things for granted.
If you have the means to do so I couldn’t recommend it more. It’s just as Paleo as steak and eggs.
